I often saw an article about “glamping” or glamorous camping in the other parts of the world like England and the US but now I heard that tourism secretary  Joseph H. Durano has this concept which is ideal for “the refined” foreign tourist who want to experience the nature, culture and the people with all the amenities in the forest with out leaving the comforts of home.

The secretary concluded that Mount Apo is a perfect spot to try the concept. Somewhere in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur will be the proposed base camp.

What will be your sentiments about this idea of Glamping in Mount Apo?

I hope these folks are considerate enough to conserve the area to be use and not for any development that would threaten the natural beauty of the area… *sigh* Just my opinion.

I visited one of the familiar place at kapagatan, the Agong House.

A 20 pesos fare for 5 to 7 minutes motorcycle ride from the Kapatagan Market going up to the hill and back. A landscaped area with full of arts and craft displayed all over the place.

Flowers blooming at all sides of the Agong house. The main house indeed is creatively great!

Agong means a percussion instrument similar to kulintang but it is much more bigger and widely used by Mindanaoan tribes.

Locals said that the place and the statues was designed by Mindanaoan artist Kublai Millan whose arts can be seen almost publicly anywhere from people’s park,ponce suites, anbd other establishments.

When you’re at Kapatagan, there’s so much more places to visit!

This is just posted for the benefit of those who wanted to climb this mountain located at sitio Tumalite Brgy. La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

Mt. Hamiguitan has become a protected area under the R.A. 9303 in 2002 and a land mark of the Province of Davao Oriental.

Here are some infos I gathered as reference:

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9303 : An act declaring mt. Hamiguitan range and its vicinities as protected area under the category of wildlife sanctuary and its peripheral areas as buffer zone.

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE NO. 146
Registration fee shall be paid at the Municipal Treasury Office before each climber are allowed to enter Mt. Hamiguitan.

REGISTRATION FEE (individual)

Local Trekkers (from San Isidro)…………………………P 100.00
Local Trekkers (outside San Isidro)…………………….. 200.00
Students (from San Isidro)………………………………… 50.00
Students (outside San Isidro)……………………………. 100.00
Foreign Trekkers…………………………………………….. 350.00

Porter’s Pay……………………………………………………..P 150.00 per Day

ALLOWABLE TREKKERS/CLIMBERS

• Climber or mountaineer shall be limited to 15 per trek excluding porter
• Ratio of 3-5 trekkers is to 1 porter

DO’S AND DONT’S

• Carry away with you, your trash
• Trekking trail and camping grounds should be kept clean and sanitary at all times.
• Do not leave marks on tree trunks; rocks; boulders or natural structures.
• Do not molest or harm the animals in the area, collect or destroy flora and fauna, ect.
• No building of fire for cooking or any other purposes. Climbers are required to bring with them camping stoves.

PROHIBITIONS

• No climber/trekker shall be allowed entry to Mt. Hamiguitan without undergoing first an orientation and accreditation with the Municipal Tourism Office
• No trekking shall be allowed exeeding a maximum of three (3) days.
• No campfires or bonfires
• No illegal drugs
• No firecrackers
• No axes and bolos allowed
• No soap and shampoo
• No guide, no climb
• No camping paraphernalia, no climb
• No cutting of trees

PENALTY

Any person who violates any of the foregoing provisions shall be imposed an administrative fine in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) but not exeeding TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P 2,500.00) at the discretion of the Municipal Mayor depending on the gravity of the offense committed and upon the recommendation of the Municipal Tourism Council.

Contacts:

Tourism officer: Anton L. Edquilla
Tourism office number : 082-4403420

Hamiguitan Trekkers Club
Email: guianepaulo@yahoo.com
Contact number: 09054159669

For more infos:

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pinoymountaineer.com

“How easy and simple it is to live enjoyably when the simple, plain blue of the sky, with its long wisps of white clouds, become a pleasant thing to behold, a thing of beauty that thrills me every time I care to look skyward. “

Open Trail to Guilon, Puting Bato

A group of outdoor enthusiast was gathered yesterday for a one day adventure at the island of Samal. Our itinerary was to climb Puting Bato then proceed to Hagimit falls as our last destination -a reward for a vigorous whole day activity.

Since I’ve been to Puting Bato last May of this year but then I proceeded to Canibad beach resort as my last destination, this time is at the Hagimit falls. The trek started at 8:30 in the morning at Guilon and we stopped at the water source near basketball court where we cook our food to serve as our packed lunch meal when we get to the top of Puting Bato. It was 10:00 am when we started to ascend the mountain and we’ve reached 12 noon at the peak were a house that collects 5 pesos was situated. We ate our lunch, talked, relax and savor the cool breeze of air and an overlooking view of Peñaplata and Davao City as well. It took us 2 hours to be on the peak since we decided to use a trail more farther from the peak.

Overlooking area

Past 1:00 pm and we traversed down to the other side of the mountain as we are heading our way to Tagbitinao area, a scorching heat of the sun, sharp edges of cogon leaves and a steep trail greeted us and it took 1 hour before we reach the road. We are back at the jump-off area of Guilon near “patay na Sapa” then we continued to hike down to the Guilon crossing were we take our rest and sip a cold iced tea to refresh and relax us at around 2:10 in the afternoon.

Shaded and cool breeze of air – Scenic view in front of us

After our rest , we proceeded to Hagimit falls and we arrived there at around 3:30 in the afternoon. From there, we cook some of our remaining foods like chicken, pork tocino and some rice.

One of many cascading Hagimit Falls

Cool waters flowing from the falls soothes us after the all days adventure, it is a very great way to end our Samal adventure here at the falls.

Dip into the cold water of Hagimit Falls

Hagimit falls is a very established area of Samal as part of their ecotourism, I wonder where the 5 pesos entrance fee goes… the place is getting wasted, there are garbage throwing area everywhere and is not a good site for every one to see.

5:00 pm and we departed from the falls then we take a ride to the Babak port area since it’s the most faster way to get at Davao City and we paid 30 pesos for the motorcycle driver. 9 pesos was the boat fare and for 10 minutes, we arrive at Sasa 11 and home sweet home…

There are so much to explore in the Island Garden City of Samal…Almost all of my escapades this summer are located from this island. ^_^

Summer time has ended but my appreciation to the verdant green, beauty of our island is constant and became my most perfect refreshment.